Hey everybody! This is the last chapter of this story. I don't have much to say, so enjoy!
Disclaimer: I don't own Ink. He belongs to comyet. Kim belongs to me.
For the past few weeks, Ink and Kim spent majority of their time together just drawing and painting. Ink loved every second he had being around his human friend. He never thought he would find someone who was as passionate about art as he was.
Though, he was unaware that their time together was going to be cut so abruptly.
Recently, Ink arrived in Kim's room to not find her there. He always found a small post-it note on her writing desk, saying she had somewhere important to go for the day. He shrugged his shoulders and returned to his home, planning on coming back tomorrow.
However, she wasn't home the next day either or the day after that. Now Ink was worried. Kim kept on leaving new notes by the smell of fresh ink, but they didn't elaborate at all about her multiple absences.
One day, he appeared in her bedroom once again and smiled when he saw her. She was lying on her bed in a curled position, her back facing him.
It seemed she didn't notice his presence so he called out to her. "Kim!"
Said person raised her head by an inch and looked over her shoulder. Kim shot him a small smile. "Oh, hey Ink. I'm sorry I haven't been around lately."
Ink's grin turned into a frown and he cocked his head to the side. Her voice and smile were both weak, as if she was struggling with the common gestures.
The skeleton strut to his friend. "Is everything alright, Kim? You don't seem like yourself."
Kim twisted her body to him with a pained wince. She quickly covered it with another tiny grin.
"I'm fine," she said, waving off his concern. "You don't need to worry about me."
Suddenly, Kim erupted into a terrible coughing fit. Her hand flew to her mouth as she tried to smother the loud volume. Ink's bones turned cold and he rushed to her side. He sat on her bed and rubbed her back in a soothing manner, trying to quell her wracking body.
Her coughing fit lasted for two minutes then stopped, leaving Kim gasping for air. She removed her hand and Ink's eye sockets widened at the sight. Her hand was stained in blood.
"Okay, I don't know much about human anatomy, but I'm pretty certain blood isn't supposed to come from your lungs." He gave Kim a serious look, his easygoing personality gone. "Kim, tell me what's wrong with you right now."
The blond opened her mouth to protest but closed it shut. She sighed and used her arms to sit up. Ink helped her when he noticed her arms shaking. They both sat on the edge of her bed, their legs dangling over.
Kim nervously played with her fingers, her head downcast as she tried to think of the best possible way to tell Ink her predicament. The artistic skeleton patiently waited for her to speak.
"Have you ever heard of AIDS?" she softly questioned him.
At his shaken skull, Kim continued. "It's an incurable disease that stands for acquired immunodeficiency syndrome. I'm not a doctor, so I'll explain it in layman's terms. Basically, my immune system attacks itself, so I don't have any defenses against illnesses, making me constantly sick."
Ink listened with rapt attention, shocked at the news. He still didn't quite understand her ailment, but knew it was serious.
"How…" Ink inquired cautiously, "how did you get it?"
"From my mom," Kim divulged calmly. "She… made love with a random stranger, not knowing he had it. Then after nine months, she had me so I acquired it from her genes."
"So, if you were constantly sick, how come you always act so happy?" asked Ink.
Kimberly laughed lightly, no humor in her voice. "You learn to fake it at an early age. I was truly happy when you came along though."
The blond human continued, not looking at Ink. "I've been taking medicine since I was an infant and they were working well, until a few days ago. My body began rejecting it, so my mom took me to a hospital to see if any stronger medications would work."
Kim grimaced. "Unfortunately, they didn't. They just made me sicker."
And to prove her point, she went into another coughing fit. Ink rapidly grabbed a tissue from her bedside table and shoved it against her mouth. She hastily took it and resumed hacking while he rubbed her back again.
Kim groaned after her fit, her lungs and chest pulsing in pain. "The doctors said I have three months to live at most," she inserted with a solemn tone.
If Ink had organs, he would've felt his heart drop. His bones turned ice cold as reality struck him, the reality that his best friend was dying right in front of him. At the back of his head, he had a strong feeling that Kimberly didn't have that much allotted time left with her condition worsening.
He struggled to say something with his dry throat. "You… you said you were healthy before, but you still have the disease. Why didn't you tell me from the beginning?"
"You're the only friend that I have, Ink," Kim softly admitted. "I don't want you to be my friend because of pity. I make it a habit not to tell people so they don't treat me different."
Ink's pupils shifted erratically as he searched for a solution in the air. "There… there must be something I can do to save you."
Kimberly wrapped her arms around the artistic skeleton in a hug, her chin resting on top of his skull. His cheeks blossomed rainbow.
"You can't do anything for me," Kim whispered almost silently. "Just stay with me until my last moments."
Ink hugged her back tightly tears pricking at the corners of his eye sockets. "No, I refuse to give up and let you die."
Kim heard his voice crack and she started crying. "Why do you care so much about me? There are lots of other humans who have the same condition. Why am I so special?"
"Because you have the same interests as I do," he answered. "Plus, you're the only human I know. I may not know any other humans, but I know that you live life to the fullest. You gain a day rather than losing one; you don't wallow in grief, waiting for your end."
An idea sparked into his skull. Ink's pupils turned into stars as hope filled him. There might be a way to save his human friend.
He detached from her embrace and held her hands. "I think I have a solution to help you."
Kim's eyes were a bit bloodshot. They widened very subtlety. "You do?"
Ink determinedly nodded his head. "Yeah. Can you stand?"
Kim nodded and slid off her bed. She wobbled a bit but stood upright. Ink, still holding her hands, led her to the ink puddle. The blond's eyebrows raised in curiosity and she gazed to Ink for an answer.
He saw her expression and explained. "I'm not entirely sure yet, but I believe the void will make you feel better, stop the disease's progress."
Kim glanced at the puddle with apprehension. The human fear of the unknown kicked in. She didn't know what the void would do to her. A small part of her acknowledged that it possibly wouldn't harm her. Ink lived in it, so it must be safe, right?
Ink sensed her hesitation and gave her a reassuring smile. "Do you trust me?"
Kim swallowed and her grip on his hands tightened. She sent him a genuine grin. "Of course I trust you."
Ink's grin pulled further. He hopped into the ink puddle, dragging Kim along. She closed her eyes and held her breath when she felt her environment change.
When she reopened them, they widened into saucers. There were many gates that showed various timelines of her universe suspended in a black void filled with stars. Kim squeaked when she realized that she was floating in space. She waved her arms frantically to orient herself but Ink caught them, fixing her upright.
Ink smiled at his friend as she gazed around in awe. Already he could see that she was looking much better than she did seconds ago. Her sunken and pale skin returned to being full and rosy.
"How do you feel?" he asked expectantly.
Kim's lips stretched into the widest grin he's ever seen her display.
"I've never been better." She placed a hand over her chest. "My chest and the rest of my body feel so light."
Kim glanced at the star-filled void. "So, this is where you reside?"
Ink shook his head. "Nope. I do live in a void, but not this one. I'll show you."
He grasped her hand and led her to a white glowing gate as she still was getting used to the anti-gravity.
"In the void, time is nonexistent," Ink explained as they floated along. "You technically still have the disease, but it won't kill you."
Kim passed through the portal with a shiver and she was filled with wonder again. The void changed to a soft, comforting yellowish-orange. Instead of stars, pieces of papers occupied it. Kim saw monsters through them, but it seemed they were all focused on a pair of skeleton brothers, one that looked very similar to Ink.
"This is where I reside," Ink pointed out. "I watch over all of these Undertale universes and protect them."
His mouth twitched downwards, a flash of sadness crossing his face. "Alone," he added silently.
The blond heard him and looked at him with slight surprise. "Don't you visit the universes?"
Yes, but I can't stay for long because there's one Sans in each of them," he replied. "It would eventually create a paradox that I can't repair."
She hugged him from behind tightly. "I'm sorry you have to carry this huge burden on your own," she softly spoke.
Ink placed his hand on top of Kim's. "I won't have to be lonely anymore."
The blond raised a confused eyebrow at his statement. He twisted in her embrace, facing her.
"If you stay here with me, you could help me. As a plus, you will live for eternity."
Ink remained quiet as Kim mulled over his offer. He was merely suggesting but he hoped that she will accept it.
"But I'm just a normal human," she said. "How will I be of aid to you?"
"I can grant you powers," he responded, elated that she was considering it. "You'll be able to help me protect the different universes."
Kim visibly brightened at the idea. Not only would she live forever, but she could help other people who are suffering. Make their lives better so they won't have to go through the same ordeal as her.
An image of her mother flashed before her eyes. Her grin fell at the thought of leaving her mom behind.
Ink noticed her sad expression. "What's wrong?"
"Well, if I agree to stay and help you, I'll be leaving my mom all alone."
Ink's face mirrored Kim's depressed façade. "Oh, that's right." He completely forgot that his friend still had one important person in her life.
He looked up when she squeezed his gloved hands. A reassuring grin touched her lips. "I accept your offer, Ink. Even though I have to leave my mom behind, I'm sure she would understand, not wanting me to waste away. I would like to return to my world to grab a few things if that's all right with you."
Ink nodded, allowing her request. Half of him felt giddy that he finally had a close companion to work with, and the other half felt guilty that his friend was leaving her mother on her own.
They returned to her world and the effects of her sickness hit Kim like a ton of bricks. As soon as her foot touched the floor, all of her energy was sapped from her. She stumbled and nearly collapsed but Ink caught her by the waist. Kim nodded to him when she was stable.
They began stuffing a few belongings into her backpack, mainly her favorite drawings and paintings with the help of Ink. Kim wrote a small note to her mom, saying where she was going and not to worry,
Just as the blond hiked up her backpack, ready to leave her world for good, she heard the front door open.
Her orbs widened in surprise. "That's my mom. She's home early."
Ink was a bit wary. He always left before Kim's mom arrived.
"Do you still want to go without telling her?" he inquired Kim.
She shook her head. "No. It doesn't feel right to leave now that she's here. I'll talk to her then we'll go."
Ink bobbed his skull. "Okay. I'll wait here for you until you're finished."
Kimberly left her pack in her room and slowly shuffled to the kitchen. She smiled when her eyes laid on her mom. Kim's mom grinned brightly in return as she set down her purse
She hugged her daughter. "Hi, Kimberly. My job let me go early, so I thought we should spend some time together."
Kim stiffened and her eyes grew lidded, the reality hitting her that she was about to abandon the only important person in her life.
Kim's mom felt her stiffness and withdrew from her. "What's wrong, Kimberly?" she asked with concern.
The young blond audibly swallowed and took in a deep breath. "Mom, can I tell you something?"
Her mom blinked but nodded. "Of course, honey."
"And just listen, please," Kim added. "It will all sound crazy but it's true."
Kim's mom blinked in confusion but bobbed her head silently.
Kim coughed a bit before speaking. "A few weeks ago, I met a friend and he's been hanging out with me every day since." She didn't mention Ink's name and didn't want to go into too much detail about otherworldly things. "He's made me the happiest I've ever been, and he's offered to take me away to a place where I'll be happy and healthy, and help him with his job."
Kim twiddled her fingers. "I know this might sound insane, but it's all true. I'm going with him, so I hope you understand why I have to go."
Silence enveloped between them as Kim allowed her mother to soak in the voluminous and vague information.
"Is he nice?" she asked her daughter softly.
The young woman nodded. "Yes, very. He always makes me smile every day."
"Is where you're going dangerous?"
"Not at all. Even if I were in danger, he wouldn't let anything bad happen to me."
Kim's mom sighed with a contemplative look. Kimberly shifted nervously on her feet, waiting for a reply.
The young blond was engulfed into an embrace from her mom. She wrapped her arms around her mother's waist.
"This does sound insane, but I believe you," she said, her voice slightly muffled by her daughter's hair. "I don't think your imagination could come up with something this crazy."
She tightened her embrace. "I'm going to miss you, but as long as you're happy, I'm happy. Be safe."
Kim's eyes welled up with tears but not a single tear fell. "I will. I love you, mom."
"I love you too, sweetheart."
The mother and daughter separated after a long embrace, giving each other one last smile before Kim strut back to her room with renewed confidence.
Kim's mom watched her go back to her room. Her eyes stretched when she saw a live skeleton standing there. She smiled a tiny bit when she put together that this was the person who changed her daughter for the better.
Kimberly took her backpack, gazed around her room for the final time, then hopped into the ink puddle.
Ink felt eyes at the back of his skull and twisted his neck to Kim's mom. They stared at each other for a few seconds.
She smiled at the skeleton. "Please take good care of her," she lisped.
He mouthed back. "I will."
He turned to the portal. "I swear," he vowed to himself.
He jumped into the portal, the puddle disappearing when he went after Kimberly.
Ten years passed and Kim was leisurely floating in the void where her timelines existed. She was gazing through her timeline, specifically at her mother. A bright grin spread across her face when she noticed her mother's sunny smile. Kim's mom was surrounded by her family and friends, happily AIDS free, thanks to her.
With the power granted to her by Ink, one of her abilities is to invoke hope into people (and monsters), motivating them to do things. Using her power, she granted hope onto one person, a scientist, motivating him to find a cure for HIV/AIDS.
Kim wished she could actually be by her mother's side, but was content that she helped her mom in a big way.
"What are you up to, Kim?"
Said person turned her head to Ink who was gently smiling at her. "She smiled back.
"Just checking my mom's progress," Kim replied. "She's healthy and happy now that she doesn't have the disease anymore."
Ink's grin faltered for a second. Guilt engulfed him as he gazed at Kim's world. After he took her away, he gave her powers as promised, so she's able to freely go to the Undertale universes without dying because of the magic in them.
However, the opposite will happen if she set foot in any of her universes. Time didn't move in the void, but she still aged in human terms. If she went back to her world, the disease would take effect, turning her into dust and bones.
"I'm sorry again Kim," Ink apologized. "Because of me, you're not able to visit your mother again."
The blond waved her hand dismissively. "Don't worry Ink," she brushed off, grinning. "It's much better this way. I'm able to help people and monsters instead of sitting around all day in my room."
Kim patted his shoulder as she floated pass him to the Undertale void. "Now, come on. We promised Blueberry Sans we would meet him today."
"Right." He smiled at her retreating back.
Ink twisted his head back to the human universes one more time before following his friend. Although he still felt guilty after all these years, a warm feeling enveloped him. He gripped his shirt over the spot where his heart would be if he had one. At last, he had a companion who was constantly at his side and shared the same interests as him. He sensed there was something more, but didn't dwell on it long as Kim called for him.
"Coming!" he yelled back.
Kim had the habit of telling Ink often that he was the one who saved her. If he were honest with himself, he would say that she saved him.
And that's the end! Thank you all for reading and reviewing. Later in the future, I'm going to add more chapters, like mini-adventures, but I'm currently working on other stories so that might be a while. Thanks again and review please!